Sathya Sai Baba’s 85th Birthday-President Pratibha Patil's Address

Sathya Sai Baba

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Friday, November 19, 2010, 18:03

Puttaparthi, 19TH NOVEMBER,2010 : President Pratibha Patil today attended the 85th birthday celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi and her honorable presence and address, marked the commemoration of Women"s Day which has been specially organized as part Sri Sathya Sai Baba"s Birthday Festivities.

On the occasion of Women"s Day Meet organised by the Eswaramma Mahila Samkshema Trust and Sri Sathya Sai Baba"s forthcoming 85th Birthday on November 23rd, The President Pratibha Patil in her address, said that along with women"s day today it is also the birth anniversary of the Late Indira Gandhi, “a brave first and the only woman Prime Minister of India" and, “Today, we are gathered at Puttaparthi to begin the 85th Birthday celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I pay my regards and I wish him the very best on this occasion. His progressive views on the role of women are inspiring".

The President also quoted one of the greatest women of India, the Late Indira Gandhi who had said, that there are 2 kinds of people, those who work for a cause and those who work for credit and expressed her appreciation for the work Sri Sathya Sai Baba and his organization has done towards the empowerment of women. As stated by the President, “Sri Sathya Sai Baba's effort has been to assist everyone to acquire self-knowledge and self-confidence, which I appreciate".

The State Information Minister J Geeta Reddy also graced the occasion with her presence and honored Sri Sathya Sai Baba for the tremendous empowerment the Project has delivered to women.

Recognizing Women"s central role in society, the Easwaramma Women"s Welfare Project-seeks to help in the development of women in a holistic manner by understanding and supporting the different roles which they play in life, be it daughter, mother or breadwinner. The Project is already producing a large number of products and has started marketing them initially through local outlets in the Ashram. The proceeds of the sales will be spent on remuneration for the women and will also go towards charitable projects in the villages.

This was a very significant day in the week long celebrations that began on November 15th to usher in Sri Sathya Sai Baba"s 85th Birthday, with the address from the President, Pratibha Patil.